How to Desolder a Circuit

Sometimes an electronic circuit needs to be disassembled. De-soldering a circuit is a simple process using a soldering iron and removal wick or desoldering pump.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soldering iron Solder removal wick (copper braid) OR desoldering pump

1. With the soldering iron at operating temperature, lay the solder removal wick over the joint you wish to desolder. Press the hot soldering iron over the wick.

2. The hot wick will heat the solder until it liquefies; at that point, it will flow into the wick, leaving the joint clean and free of solder.

3. Continue this process until the circuit has been disassembled.

4. Using a desoldering pump is a similar process. Heat the soldered joint with the soldering iron until the solder has melted. At that point, use the pump like a plunger, sucking up the melted solder into the body of the tool. This should remove the solder from the joint, making it easy to disassemble.

Tips & Warnings

• When the wick gets full of solder, cut off the end into a garbage can. The solder removal pump must be emptied periodically.
• Be careful of burns or accidental fire; soldering irons can reach upwards of 400 degrees F.